SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College's Board of Trustees honored Tony Lett, a long-time member, at its July 23 meeting in the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.

Lett, of Sanford, had served on the board of trustees since 1998, including one term as chair of the board. The college had three presidents during those years: Dr. Marvin Joyner, Dr. Matthew Garrett and Dr. Bud Marchant.

Lett worked unceasingly to help build CCCC into the great institution it is today, Marchant said. He and Julian Philpott, chair of the board of trustees, presented Lett with a pen-and-ink drawing of college buildings by artist Jerry Miller.

"We have one of the jewels of the state in Central Carolina Community College," Lett told the gathering of trustees, family and friends. "The most important part of its name is 'community.' The people of Chatham, Harnett and Lee counties support our college. The county commissioners have been very supportive. The administration, staff and faculty work very hard to give the students the most positive experience they can. I thank the Lee County Board of Education for appointing me to the board so many times."

Philpott said Lett has always being a staunch advocate for maintaining the college's strong workforce development programs, an important factor in the economic health of Chatham, Harnett and Lee counties, which it serves.

Lett has been the president of and a partner in Lee Builder Mart, Inc. since 1976. In 1994, the Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce and CCCC Small Business Center named him the Small Business Person of the Year. In 2013, he received the Small Business Advocate of the Year Award for his involvement with workforce development in the area.

Lett serves on the CCCC Foundation Board and has also been an active community volunteer, including service on the board of directors of the Sanford Area Habitat for Humanity.

Lett's father, Gilbert Lett, was also a long-time supporter of the college. In 2005, in gratitude for his generosity to the college, the Health Building on the Lee County Campus was renamed Gilbert Lett Hall.

"You've seen the college go through a lot of growth," Philpott told Lett. "Your family was involved with the first 50 years of the college; we know you will continue to be involved."

Retiring trustee Bill Wilson Jr., of Sanford, who served 20 years on the board, and Sanford Mayor Chet Mann, who served one term on the board, were also honored.